strike you after you fell?" asked Fred.

"He had no time, as I was afterwards informed. Just as he advanced
towards me, the fellow I had outstripped appeared in sight, and the
bushranger evidently thought that it was better to beat a retreat."

"And the gold, did you recover that?"

"Not a penny's worth, with the exception of that in the bank on deposit.
I found out the relatives of the men murdered, and sent it to them, and
very glad they were to get it."

"And the miner who escaped--where is he?"

"Here in Ballarat, a dissipated, shiftless wretch. The loss of his gold
ruined him, for he has not had ambition enough to do a day's work
since."

"Is the inspector here?" cried a man, thrusting his head into the tent
just as Mr. Brown had concluded.

"Yes; what is wanting?" the little man asked.

"There's a big fight at the 'Pig and Whistle' saloon, sir, and it's
pistols they is using, sure," replied the visitor.

"I wish they would enact the part of the Kilkenny cats," replied the
inspector, as he rose to bid us good night, "for as sure as night comes
a fight occurs at that den. Gentlemen, I shall see you in the morning,
and if I can be of any service to you pray don't scruple to ask for it."

The inspector shook hands with us, and then turned to the fellow who had
brought the news.

"Run to the Whistle and tell them I'm coming, and those not killed by
the time I arrive shall be hanged without judge or jury."

"Yes, sir," replied the person addressed, and off he started to carry
the message, while the inspector followed more slowly.

We saw that our animals were safe, and then left them in charge of
Rover, while we retired to get a night's rest--something that we really
stood in need of.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

FINDING OF A 110 LB. NUGGET.--CAVING IN OF A MINE.

We had hardly dressed ourselves and made our scanty toilet the morning
after our arrival, when the inspector made his appearance, looking none
the worse for the tumult which summoned him away the night before.

"You are stirring early," he said, warming his hands by a fire which
Smith had started for the purpose of getting breakfast; "I expected to
find you sleeping off your fatigue, for men with nothing to do generally
like to lie abed mornings."

"Late sleeping will not earn the fortune that we expect to get," replied
Fred.

"So you still think of sinking a shaft here, do you?" inquired the
inspector, with a grave smile.

"Of course, s